Tool holder and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A tool holder for use with an ATV comprises an attachment base, attachable to a portion of the ATV, and a holding member extending from the attachment base. The holding member is configured to receive and hold a tool therein and includes a pair of generally upright arms which collectively define a containment area therebetween. At least one of the pair of generally upright arms includes at least one stress relief section formed therein, the stress relief section including a cross section relatively more narrow than remaining cross sections of the at least one of the pair of generally upright arms.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/371,360, filed Mar. 7, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/222,424, filed Jan. 27, 2005, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. D516,402, each of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems for mounting tools to, or holding tools on, vehicles, including all-terrain vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All-terrain-vehicles (“ATVs” ) are used by many people for recreation, hunting, transportation, outdoor work activities, and the like. Participants of these activities often desire to carry with them an auxiliary device or tool such as a shovel, pick, rake, or other implement having a generally elongate handle. In order to safely and effectively operate the ATV while transporting such equipment, the operator often mounts the auxiliary device to the ATV in order to maintain his or her hands in an unencumbered condition. In an effort to ensure that such auxiliary devices are safely and securely attached to the ATV while it is being operated, a variety of mounting systems have been developed that purport to both i) be securely attached to the ATV; and ii) provide secure attachment of the auxiliary device to the mounting system itself.

In general, such mounting systems are developed to ensure that the interface between the auxiliary device to be mounted and the ATV is sufficiently secure that the auxiliary device does not become dislodged from the ATV while the ATV is in operation. However, it has been found that the ease with which such tools can be inserted into, and withdrawn from, the mounting system is often sacrificed in order to provide a reliably secure interface between the mounting system and the tool desired to be held.

Accordingly, while it has been attempted to provide a more lightweight, easily manufactured and aesthetically pleasing mounting system for use in mounting auxiliary devices to ATVs, solutions to date require either very bulky and heavy systems or systems that risk inadvertent dislodging of the auxiliary devices from the ATV.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tool holder for use with an ATV, including an attachment base, attachable to a portion of the ATV, and a holding member extending from the attachment base. The holding member can be configured to receive and hold a tool therein. The holding member can include a pair of generally upright arms which collectively define a containment area therebetween. At least one of the pair of generally upright arms can include at least one stress relief section formed therein. The stress relief section can include a cross section relatively more narrow than remaining cross sections of the at least one of the pair of generally upright arms.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a tool holder for use with an ATV is provided, including an attachment base, attachable to a portion of the ATV, and a holding member extending from the attachment base. The holding member can be configured to receive and hold a tool therein. The holding member can include a pair of generally upright arms which collectively define a containment area therebetween. At least one of the pair of generally upright arms can include at least one stress relief section formed therein. The stress relief section can include a channel formed in at least one face of the at least one upright arm. The channel can extend in a path that corresponds to a curvature of the at least one upright arm.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for forming a tool holder is provided, including: forming a holding member with an attachment base, the attachment base being attachable to a portion of an ATV; forming a pair of generally upright arms which collectively define a containment area therebetween; and forming at least one stress relief section in at least one of the upright arms, the stress relief section increasing flexibility of the at least one upright arm and including a cross section relatively more narrow than remaining sections of the at least one upright arm.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and so that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. Other features of the present invention will become clearer from the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the accompanying drawings and claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a tool holder mountable to an ATV, including a sectioned view of a tool held therein;

FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned side view of the tool holder and tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the tool holder of FIG. 1, shown in a splayed position as the tool of FIG. 1 is being inserted thereinto;

FIG. 4 is a front view of another tool holder in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned side view of the tool holder of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those of ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “tool holder” includes one or more of such holders unless the context dictates otherwise.

Definitions

In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below.

As used herein, the terms “tool” or “auxiliary device” are to be understood to refer to objects that can be mounted to at least a portion of an ATV in order to be transported by the ATV. Examples of tools or auxiliary devices include, without limitation, tools, such as shovels, rakes, picks, axes, brooms, etc., guns, bows, camera equipment, scopes, and also intermediate structures on which such devices can be mounted or rested.

As used herein, the term “ATV” is to be understood to refer to a variety of vehicles suitable for receiving the tool holders of the present invention. As the term ATV is used to simplify the discussion herein, the claims are not to be limited in scope by the use of the term ATV. Vehicles referred to herein as ATVs can include automobiles,.trucks, four-wheelers, three-wheelers, snowmobiles, motorcycles, watercraft, etc.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained.

The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, a composition that is “substantially free of” particles would either completely lack particles, or so nearly completely lack particles that the effect would be the same as if it completely lacked particles. In other words, a composition that is “substantially free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is no measurable effect thereof.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to a numerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “a little above” or “a little below” the endpoint.

Distances, forces, weights, amounts, and other numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to be understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited.

As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 inch to about 5 inches” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recited values of about 1 inch to about 5 inches, but also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and from 3-5, etc.

This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value and should apply regardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics being described.

Invention

As shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2, in one aspect of the present invention a tool holder 10 is provided for use with an ATV. The tool holder can include an attachment base 12 which can be attachable to a portion of the ATV (not shown). A holding member, shown generally at 14, can extend from the attachment base and can be configured to receive and hold a tool or a tool handle (shown by example at 16) therein. The holding member can include a pair of generally upright arms 18 a, 18 b which can collectively define a containment area 20 therebetween. At least one of the pair of generally upright arms can include at least one stress relief section 22 formed therein. The stress relief section can include a cross section relatively more narrow than remaining cross sections of the upright arm. The upright arms are sufficiently flexible or resilient to expand when a tool is inserted into the holder, and contract back into an original, neutral position after the tool is held within the containment area.

The present tool holder can be mounted to an ATV (not shown) in a variety of manners, and in the embodiment shown, can be mounted to the ATV via the threaded rod that forms the attachment base 12. It is to be understood, however, that the attachment base can include a variety of structures known in the art for mounting such devices to vehicles in general, including U-bolts (not shown), clamping mechanisms (not shown), and similar devices. The tool holder can receive and securely hold a variety of types of tools, including tools having relatively elongate handles, such as shovels, rakes, brooms, axes, picks, etc. While reference is made herein to the tool holder “holding” various tools, it is to be understood that the tool holders of the present invention can secure tools to ATVs by holding only portions of the tools, for example handles of the tools.

The tool holder 10 is shown in FIG. 1 holding exemplary tool 16 within the containment area 20. FIG. 3 illustrates the tool holder in a configuration in which the upright arms 18 a, 18 b are splayed in order to receive the tool 16. As will be appreciated, as force is applied downward to the tool 16, it contacts innermost portions of the arms 18 a, 18 b, causing the arms to tend to flex outwardly, or separate, as the tool moves downwardly. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the relevant art, flexibility and/or rigidity of the arms, the size of the tool being forced between the innermost portions of the arms, and the size of the opening between the innermost portions of the arms when the arms are in a neutral position, can all affect the outcome of attempting to force the tool into the containment area 20.

For example, if the arms 18 a, 18 b were overly rigid, a user would either not be able to force the tool past the innermost portions of the arms, or one or both of the arms might be broken during an attempt to do so. If the size of the opening between the innermost portions of the arms were too small, a similar result would be obtained. Contrarily, if the arms were formed from too flexible a material, or if the size of the opening between the innermost portions of the arms were too large, the tool would not be securely held within the tool holder and might easily become dislodged or bounced out of the tool holder.

The stress relief section 22 of the present invention can advantageously allow these design considerations to be tailored to provide a compact, lightweight tool holder that is sufficiently rugged for use with ATVs and securely holds tools therein. For example, the present tool holder can be formed from a material that is sufficiently durable to withstand shock from general use, or from being inadvertently struck, while mounted on the ATV without fracturing or breaking. Such materials include, without limitation, Nylon 6, Nylon 66 (one type of which is sold by Dow under the tradename SUPERTOUGH NYLON), and Nylon CPA-6. Additives, such as UV stabilizers, can be added to most of these types of suitable materials. While not so required, in some embodiments the holding member 14 and upright arms 18 a, 18 b include no internal, distinct reinforcing material (e.g., no metallic reinforcement structure), but are instead formed solely from a polymer.

While such materials are advantageous for their durability properties, it has been found that the flexibility and resiliency required for the present application are often not present in these types of materials. For example, depending upon the type of material used, a tool holder made from these materials and having the general configuration shown in the figures (but without the stress relief sections) might be either too rigid or too brittle to receive the tool (e.g., the arms either wouldn't splay sufficiently to receive the tools, or they would fracture or yield and thereby become greatly reduced in usefulness). However, by including the stress relief sections 22, the present tool holder has been found to perform well in a variety of applications, with the arms splaying sufficiently to receive most tools, yet resiliently returning to a neutral holding position (e.g., that shown in FIG. 1), after the tool has been inserted into the containment portion 20 of the holder.

The types and sizes of tools held by the holder 10 can vary, but the present tool holders have been found to perform well with tools having a diameter from about 1 inch to about 2 inches, with 1¼ inches being typical. Also, while the tool 16 is shown in the figures as having a circular cross section, it is to be understood that the present invention is suitable for use in holding tools with other cross sectional shapes, such as rectangular, oval, irregular, etc. In a typical embodiment, the tool holder can be formed with an arm thickness T₁ (FIG. 2), T₁′ (FIG. 5) on the order of about 0.75 inches, an arm width (W₁ in FIG. 1) on the order of about 0.375 inches, and a stress relief thickness T₂ (FIG. 2), T₂′ (FIG. 5) on the order of about 0.125 inches. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the stress relief section includes a width W₂ on the order of about 0.125 inches. These dimensions, while helpful in understanding certain embodiments of the present invention, are not limiting of the scope of the invention and are included for exemplary purposes only.

The stress relief section 22 shown in FIGS. 1-3 can include a channel that is at least partially arcuate and that is formed in the upright arms 18 a, 18 b , and can also be formed in, along and/or through other sections of the holder (e.g., through base 24 of the holding member 14). The stress relief section can include, or can at least partially define, a cross section that is reduced in size relative to other portions of the upright arms. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the stress relief section of the tool holder 10 can define a cross sectional thickness T₂ that is reduced or smaller than a cross sectional thickness T₁ of the overall upright arm 18 b. In this manner, the stress relief section can aid in increasing a flexibility of the upright arms in a direction in which upright arms are deflected while the tool is inserted into the containment area.

The stress relief section 22 can be formed in at least one rearward or forward face of the upright arms. As used herein, the term “face” refers to the sides of the holders in the embodiments shown that are generally planar and parallel to one another. In one aspect of the invention, the stress relief sections formed in the faces of the holder need not, and generally do not, significantly affect a flexibility of the upright arms in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the arms splay when receiving the tool.

As shown in FIG. 2, each face of the upright arms 18 a, 18 b can have a stress relief section formed therein. While not so required, the stress relief sections formed in opposing faces of the upright arms can share substantially the same shape or pattern.

The stress relief section 22 can include an at least partially arcuate channel formed in one or more of the faces of the upright arms. The at least partially arcuate channel can define a path that substantially matches a curvature of the at least one upright arm. In particular, the path defined by the at least partially arcuate channel can substantially match a curvature of an inside surface of the holder. Also, while not so required, the at least partially arcuate channel can extend along and between each of the pair of generally upright arms 18 a, 18 b and can also extend through a lower portion or base 24 of the holding device. In this manner, the stress relief section defines a substantially continuous, smooth path that can reduce the likelihood of stress concentrations forming that might cause premature failure of the holding device.

While the stress relief section 22 is shown in FIG. 1 is a substantially continuous channel, it is to be understood that the channel can include several discrete, discontinuous portions (not shown) that are interrupted by sections of the upright arms 18 a, 18 b that do not include stress relief sections. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in one aspect of the invention, a plurality of stress relief sections 22′ can be provided that include a series of discrete indentations formed in a face of the upright arms.

The stress relief sections 22′ shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 include a series of cylinders or holes, on the order of about 0.125 inches in diameter, that are circular or oval in shape and are disposed along the profile of the face of the upright arm in a regularly repeating pattern. As shown in FIG. 5, the stress relief sections can provide a cross section T₂′ that is reduced in size from an overall cross section T₁′ of the upright arm 18 b. In the embodiment shown, the opposing faces of the upright arm include stress relief sections 22′ that are located in opposing positions one from another. In other words, the opposing faces of the upright arm 18 b include stress relief sections that are coaxial. It is to be understood, however, that the stress relief sections can be staggered relative to one another along the opposing faces, such that opposing stress relief sections are not coaxial.

In both of the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the stress relief sections 22, 22′ create a reduced cross section T₂, T₂′ in the upright arms that is on the order of about ⅙ of the overall thickness T₁, T₂′ of the upright arms. It is to be understood, however, that the reduced thickness can vary, from a maximum nearly matching the overall thickness, to a minimum approaching zero, in which case the stress relief sections extend completely through the upright arms.

As shown in FIG. 3, in addition to, or instead of, the stress relief sections 22, 22′, stress relief sections 19 can also be provided to enhance flexibility of the upright arms 18 a, 18 b. In the embodiment shown, the stress relief sections 19 include generally curved notches or indentations formed at outward portions of bases of the upright arms 18 a, 18 b. The stress relief sections can provide additional flexibility to the upright arms and can reduce or limit the likelihood of stress concentrations developing at the bases of the upright arms. While the stress relief sections 19 are shown as generally curved indentations that extend through a thickness of the arms, it is to be understood that they can take a variety of shapes and sizes, and can be positioned in a variety of differing locations.

In addition to the structural aspects discussed above, the present invention also provides a method for forming a tool holder. The method can include forming a holding member with an attachment base, the attachment base being attachable to a portion of an ATV; forming a pair of generally upright arms which collectively define a containment area therebetween; and forming at least one stress relief section in at least one of the upright arms, the stress relief section increasing flexibility of the at least one upright arm and including a cross section relatively more narrow than remaining sections of the at least one upright arm.

Forming the stress relief section in the at least one upright arm can increase flexibility of the at least one upright arm in a direction in which the at least one arm is deflected while the tool is inserted into the containment area.

Forming the pair of upright arms can include forming the upright arms from a single, integral material.

Forming the stress relief section can include forming the stress relief section in a face of the upright arm.

The method can further include forming the stress relief section in opposing faces of the at least one upright arm.

Forming the stress relief section can include forming an at least partially arcuate channel in a face of the at least one upright arm. The at least partially arcuate channel can extend in a path that substantially matches a curvature of the at least one upright arm.

Forming the at least partially arcuate channel can include forming the channel along and between each of the upright arms.

Forming the stress relief section can include forming a series of discrete indentations in a face of the at least one upright arm. The discrete indentations can be substantially circular in shape.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. 

1. A tool holder for use with an ATV, comprising: an attachment base, attachable to a portion of the ATV; and a holding member extending from the attachment base and being configured to receive and hold a tool therein, the holding member including a pair of generally upright arms which collectively define a containment area therebetween; at least one of the pair of generally upright arms including at least one stress relief section formed therein, the stress relief section including a cross section relatively more narrow than remaining cross sections of the at least one of the pair of generally upright arms.
 2. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the stress relief section is operable to increase a flexibility of the at least one upright arm in a direction in which the at least one arm is deflected while the tool is inserted into the containment area.
 3. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the pair of upright arms is formed of a single, integral material.
 4. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the stress relief section is formed in a face of the at least upright arm.
 5. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein opposing faces of the at least one upright arm each include a stress relief section formed therein.
 6. The tool holder of claim 5, wherein the stress relief sections formed in the opposing faces of the at least one upright arm define substantially the same patterns.
 7. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the stress relief section includes a channel that is at least partially arcuate formed in a face of the at least one upright arm.
 8. The tool holder of claim 7, wherein the channel defines a path that substantially matches a curvature of the at least one upright arm.
 9. The tool holder of claim 7, wherein the channel extends continuously along and between each of the pair of generally upright arms.
 10. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein stress relief section includes a series of discrete indentations formed in a face of the at least one upright arm.
 11. The tool holder of claim 10, wherein the discrete indentations are substantially circular in shape.
 12. A tool holder for use with an ATV, comprising: an attachment base, attachable to a portion of the ATV; and a holding member extending from the attachment base and being configured to receive and hold a tool therein, the holding member including a pair of generally upright arms which collectively define a containment area therebetween; at least one of the pair of generally upright arms including at least one stress relief section formed therein, the stress relief section comprising a channel formed in at least one face of the at least one arm, the channel extending in a path that corresponds to a curvature of the at least one upright arm.
 13. The tool holder of claim 12, wherein the stress relief section is operable to increase a flexibility of the at least one upright arm in a direction in which the at least one arm is deflected while the tool is inserted into the containment area.
 14. The tool holder of claim 12, wherein each of the pair of upright arms are formed of a single, integral material.
 15. The tool holder of claim 12, wherein opposing faces of the at least one upright arm each include a stress relief section formed therein.
 16. The tool holder of claim 12, wherein the channel extends along and between each of the pair of generally upright arms.
 17. The tool holder of claim 12, further comprising a series of discrete channels formed in the face of the at least one upright arm.
 18. A method for forming a tool holder, comprising: forming a holding member with an attachment base, the attachment base being attachable to a portion of an ATV; forming a pair of generally upright arms which collectively define a containment area therebetween; and forming at least one stress relief section in at least one of the upright arms, the stress relief section increasing flexibility of the at least one upright arm and including a cross section relatively more narrow than remaining sections of the at least one upright arm.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein forming the stress relief section in the at least one arm increases flexibility of the at least one upright arm in a direction in which the at least one arm is deflected while the tool is inserted into the containment area.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein forming the pair of upright arms includes forming the upright arms from a single, integral material.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein forming the stress relief section includes forming the stress relief section in a face of the upright arm.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising forming the stress relief section in opposing faces of the at least one upright arm.
 23. The method of claim 18, wherein forming the stress relief section includes forming an arcuate channel in a face of the at least one upright arm.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the arcuate channel defines a path that substantially matches a curvature of the at least one upright arm.
 25. The method of claim 18, wherein forming the arcuate channel includes forming the arcuate channel along and between each of the upright arms.
 26. The method of claim 18, wherein forming the stress relief section includes forming a series of discrete indentations in a face of the at least one upright arm.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the discrete indentations are substantially circular in shape. 